@conference {654707, title = {The Past and Potential Role of Civil Society in Nuclear Security}, booktitle = { International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, International Atomic Energy Agency}, year = {2020}, month = {February 10-14}, publisher = { International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, International Atomic Energy Agency, , February 10-14, 2020. }, organization = { International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, International Atomic Energy Agency, , February 10-14, 2020. }, address = {Vienna, Austria}, abstract = {Civil society has played a very important role in nuclear security over the years, and its role could be strengthened in the future. \ Some nuclear organizations react against the very idea of civil society involvement, thinking of only one societal role {\textendash} protesting. \ In fact, however, civil society has played quite a number of critical roles in nuclear security over the years, including highlighting the dangers of nuclear terrorism; providing research and ideas; nudging governments to act; tracking progress and holding governments and operators accountable; educating the public and other stakeholders; promoting dialogue and partnerships; helping with nuclear security implementation; funding initial steps; and more. \ Funding organizations (both government and non-government) should consider ways to support civil society work and expertise focused on nuclear security in additional countries. \ Rather than simply protesting and opposing, civil society organizations can help build more effective nuclear security practices around the world.}, author = {Matthew Bunn and Nicholas Roth} }